Illustrator,LuhanWang2 Details
Intro
Class Intro
Illustrator, Luhan Wang
Everyone's got a great story to tell.
And environmental design is a subtle yet effective way to do it!
Narrative Environment Design, One Step at a Time
Are you new to background illustrations, and don't know where to start? Or trying to discover your style, but don't know how to get there? Take on this exciting journey with Luhan Wang. From the moment you lay your first line on a blank canvas to the final touch you make, you can learn every step in exquisite detail.
Watch how an idea evolves into a richly detailed environment artwork, brimming with elements that add narrative depth. Develop an idea in your head through solid linework and detailed color enhancement to achieve the precise storytelling that you desire. With exclusive insight accumulated over years of industry experience, understand what you need to be doing differently to create breathtaking environment illustrations. Leave this class with the skills and confidence to create a narrative environment from scratch, as well as a completed artwork you can add to your portfolio.
Class Perks
Special Gifts from Luhan Wang
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All Class Artwork PSD Files -
Reference Mood Boards -
Artwork Timelapse Process Video
Recommendation
Who Should Take This Class?
Beginners to background illustrations
Who want to learn from the fundamentals one step at a time.
Intermediates seeking their own style of art
Who want to finish a finalized piece of detailed artwork as a result.
Artists of any level
Who want to gain the skillset to elevate their environment illustrations to new heights
How is This Different from the First Class?
Professional Concept Artist Luhan Wang's Portfolio
Why Take This Class?
Environment design is similar to going on a vacation.
Having fun at your final destination is an important factor, but planning the itinerary, packing your suitcase, and getting on the plane are all equally essential factors to a vacation.
In the same sense, Luhan’s second class covers the entire process that goes into environment design, from the very brainstorming stage to the fully rendered artwork that will hold a special place in your heart. If you have ever wondered how some backgrounds speak out to you, and provide the details that add depth to the narrative, this class will teach you how you can do the same. Experience a noticeable growth in your background illustration skills and find your unique style in doing so. There is no better way to grow and have fun at the same time, just like a good old vacation.
9 Class Exercises
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Ideation -
Mood Board -
Perspective
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Structure -
Composition Studies -
Thumbnailing
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Values -
Colors -
Time of Day
Instructor
Illustrator
Luhan Wang
Hey there! I am Luhan Wang,
a visual development and concept artist, currently working at Eidos Montreal.
Before diving into the video game industry, I worked on a couple of animated shows for studios such as Nickelodeon, Dreamworks and Netflix.
Environment design has always been a special form of art for me as it can convey stories on their own, whether it be through details, colors, lighting, or even composition. I'm excited to share my thought process and workflow with you, and hoping that they can help you as well on your art journey!
Illustrator, Luhan Wang
[Current]
Visual Development and Concept Artist at Eidos Montréal
[Previous]
Layout Artist at Yowza! Animation Corp
Background Designer at Nickelodeon
Projects & Awards
[Notable Work]
Layout Artist for Dr. Seuss - Green Eggs and Ham Season 2
Layout Artist for Angry Birds - Summer Madness
2022 Ottawa International Animation Festival Nominee
Highlights
Class Highlights
Storytelling Within the Details
Environment design is not just about the space and how to fill up empty areas- it could also be used as a vessel to convey stories. It may portray a more literal story of what this space is, who lives in it, what can we learn from the objects around; or a more abstract story of mood and emotion. Throughout this course, we will explore the various ways of showcasing the element of storytelling, as well as how to successfully do so.
Grounding an Idea with Linework
With an idea in mind, now comes the time to put it on paper. Lines, although not in everyone's case, can be powerful tools that would establish the foundations of our environment. With them, we can establish the right perspective and structure of our assets, as well as set the composition that we will be following throughout the creation process. Lines can have different functions and qualities as well, which are aspects that will be explored through our classes.
In the Mood for Colors
Colors are coming in last to finish off, but also enhance our environment. They seem to offer an infinite amount of opportunities as they can add onto our story, add onto the structure of the scene, set a mood or even an emotion. We will be exploring many ways of using this asset and how to use them to complement the rest of our scene.
Class Details
You'll Learn
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The Brainstorming PhaseThe process of brainstorming and coming up with an idea. Use storytelling to enhance our scene, gather references, and create a mood board. -
The FundamentalsQuick recap on some basic notions of perspective, volume and structure. -
Establishing the BaseThumbnailing and the points to think of when working on the first draft of background.
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LineworkThe different ways of using lines to establish shapes and volumes as well as discussing line quality. -
Colors and LightUse of color, lighting and values - how it can support the structure of your illustration. -
Rendering and TexturesFinalize a scene with the last touches; rendering and texturing.
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Class Preview
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Chapter 01.
Life is too Hard so Let's Go on Vacation, but First, Coffee!
1. Introducing your instructor
2. What you will learn
3. Helpful websites and software programs
Curriculum
Curriculum
In-Depth Look
SECTION 01. OT
01. Life is too Hard so Let's Go on Vacation, but First, Coffee!
- Introducing your instructor
- What you will learn
- Helpful websites and software programs
SECTION 02. The Basics
02. Where do We Want to Go: Brainstorming an idea
- Storytelling
- Subject, mood, vibe, emotion
- Believability
03. Listing Out our Potential Destinations: Research
- Research process and tools
- Mood board
04. What are Our Travel Priorities: The Fundamentals
- Quick look at perspective and composition
- Putting these two elements to use
05. Deciding on our Location: Thumbnailing
- Thumbnailing/Quick sketches
SECTION 03. Setting up the Scene
06. Creating our Itinerary: Rough Pass
- Establishing the perspective and horizon line
- Setting the scale
- Framing the subject
- Putting down the basic shapes
- Using reference
07. Reading Through Travel Blogs: Spicing Up the Rough Pass
- Playing with levels
- Creating depth
- Maintaining scale
08. Picking our Must-See Attractions: Structure
- Quick look at structure
- How to ground our actors
09. Locking-In our Base Schedule: Clean Lines
- Purpose of lines
- Line quality
- Line weight
SECTION 04. Putting Down the Lines
10. Picking out Additional Pit Stops: Second Pass
- Secondary storytelling
- Placing objects in interesting ways
- Leading the eye
- Using reference
11. Feeling Adventurous: Diversifying the Scene
- Playing with scale
- Adding organic shapes
- Diversifying the patterns
12. Figuring out the Schedules and Commute System: Final details
- Balancing the space
- Avoid overcrowding
- Breathing room
- Purpose vs Overflow
- Using reference
13. Buying the Plane Ticket and Booking our Hotels: Final Touch
- Final details
- Texture
- Clarity of subject
SECTION 05. The Coloring Process
14. Packing our Suitcase: Prepping for Colors
- Lines vs Lineless
- Coloring tools
- Coloring process breakdown
15. Scrolling on our Phone, too Excited to Sleep: Research
- Storytelling through colors and light
- Mood
- Purpose
- Film references
- Photography references
- Tools
16. Waiting in Line for the Gruesome Security Check: Values
- Composition
- Silouhette
- Depth and atmospheric perspective
17. Finally Boarding the Plane: Base Colors
- Base color
- Local colors
- Structure
18. The Two Must-Do's on the Plane, Eating and Sleeping: Light and Shadow
- Time of day and mood
- Use of reference
- Color temperature
- Composition
SECTION 06. Closing the Scene
19. Adjusting our Uncomfortably Narrow Seat: Final Lighting Pass
- Refining the silouhettes
- Reflected/Bounce light
- Pushing depth
20. Buckling our Seatbelt, the Plane is Landing: Finishing the Scene Up
- Texture
- Final touch-ups
21. We Have Arrived at Our Destination! Time to Enjoy our Vacation!
- Environment creation process review
- Conclusion
*The release date of this class, curriculum images, and associated content can be changed without prior notice.
** Class videos may be seperated for a more streamlined viewing experience
Interview with
Illustrator Luhan Wang
Question.01
Is there a specific reason why you chose this specific topic/themes?
There's been a lot of curiosity around the way I detail my environments and the time I spent doing so and thus I wanted to create a course that would show my process from the very early brainstorming phase to the final rendering. I'm hoping that the viewers can garner useful tips, tricks, and information alongside my explanations throughout the chapters. I feel like sometimes there's a bit of a misconception that a detailed background is synonymous with filling a space as much as possible, but I think there's much more to it - there's a web of steps and thoughts leading to the creation of a piece, including aspects such as storytelling. Although complex, I don't think illustrating an environmental artwork should feel intimidating. I truly believe that anyone can put down on paper the worlds they have visualized in their head as long as they put in the time.
Question.02
What makes your class different from other classes?
My goal with these classes is to try and break down my process in a more simplified manner so that they can be approachable to artists of any level. Since my way of working is only one of many other ways of designing an environment, I'm mostly hoping for the viewers to pick up points that could be useful and integrate them into their workflow. Throughout the process, the main focus is to provide a basic understanding of the steps needed in the creation of a background, to give an idea of where and how to start a more complex piece.
Question.03
Is there anything else you would like to share with your students?
This is a sentence that has been said and heard infinitely but I still want to share it out loud: please don't give up! It might sound like something easier said than done, but I really believe that anyone can achieve their goal if they spend the time and effort working on it. I was not an art student to begin with and had to make several transitions on top of learning from scratch in order to just get into art school. For some people, luck, talent, and timing might be a thing, but it's not everything. At the end of the day, it's about how much you're willing to do and sacrifice, it's about your mindset. I don't think there's a secret formula to becoming an amazing artist, it's truly just based on how you refine your skills. Please don't be discouraged because of the images you see on social media or the words you hear from around you. There will be forever people ''better'' than us, but it's not about them, it's about us, and how we can make ourselves better.
Required Programs
This course will use Adobe Photoshop CC.
Please purchase and install the latest versions of the programs
for an optimized lecture experience.
*These programs and/or materials will not be provided with the lecture.
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